Maryam gifts laptops, pledges scholarships to Balochistan students

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met with a 50-member delegation of students from Balochistan’s Residential College, Loralai, at her office on Thursday.

The chief minister gifted all students laptops and directed the authorities to provide them with pocket money for sightseeing. The students expressed gratitude for the initiatives and shared their desire to pursue higher education in Punjab.

While addressing the delegation, Maryam Nawaz said, “I aspire to visit Balochistan soon to announce Honhaar Scholarships. If possible, I will allocate more scholarships and laptops to Balochistan’s students than those in Punjab. My heart aches for the people of Balochistan, and I have been contemplating ways to support its youth for a long time. We will also review the feasibility of providing e-bikes to students in Balochistan.”

She said, “Balochistan students are immensely talented. If given favourable conditions, they can surpass others.” Highlighting Balochistan’s potential, she said, “Balochistan is rich in natural resources while Punjab lacks such resources. Balochistan saw significant progress during Nawaz Sharif’s three terms as prime minister.” Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to Balochistan’s sacrifices, recalling the story of Nawab Ahmed Jogezai, who inscribed “Pakistan Zindabad” on a handkerchief with his blood.

The chief minister elaborated on her government’s initiatives, including Honhaar scholarships for 30,000 students with family incomes below Rs300,000 in Punjab. She also announced plans to include first- and third-year undergraduate students in the scholarship programme, highlighting that “education in the digital era is incomplete without laptops”.